Anyone ever have a car shipped crosscountry?

[JoeKing]

I'm thinking about having my truck shipped from CA to MD and was wondering if anyone has done anyhting similar? If so any recommendations on companies? How much did it cost for the distance you had it shipped?

I don't really know the process behind this.

 

[BoomerD]

Don't remember anymore which company I used, but I had a BMW shipped from Florida to Kahleeforneeya several years ago. Cost about $850. No complaints about the way it was handled by the shipper.
Gotta be careful however, there are some shady outfits out there. MOST are OK, some are just brokers who find transport from whatever trucking outfit is going to be in your general area, others own their own fleet. I'd recommend sticking with those, rather than the broker.
You have to have your own insurance for the vehicle, can't use it to haul any other stuff in the trunk or inside, and if you have a custom stereo, remove it...

 

[Apex]

It depends on if you want covered carrier (really nice, but costly), or open transport.

 

[homercles337]

I had my car shipped from Austin to Philly a couple years ago. I spent a ton of time researching the companies. MANY are sketchy and others are very pricey. I hit a nice medium. PM if you want the guys name and number. The company was B&M out of Louisana, but the driver was great and took great care of my car.

 

[SVT Cobra]

I usually pay for an open transport and everything is fine when I have cars shipped. No need to spend for anything more.

 

[isekii]

why not drive it and consider it a road trip ?

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: isekii
why not drive it and consider it a road trip ?

damn that's like the entire United States. How long of a drive would that be?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: JoeKing

Originally posted by: isekii
why not drive it and consider it a road trip ?

damn that's like the entire United States. How long of a drive would that be?

shouldn't be that bad.

taking your time seeing some sights, probably like a week?

 

[Sukhoi]

I would expect that to be 5 days at ~8 hours per day. Could be a fun thing to do. I almost had to move from KY to CA next week and I was going to drive it.

If you've never driven it before, I-70 through Colorado is sweet. Obviously from Norcal you'd be taking I-80, but if you have time drop down to I-70 once you get to I-15. If you're in Socal just stick with I-40 as I think it'd be too far out of the way to get up to I-70.

If you do take I-70 and yet still have a bit of extra time, take a short sidetrip to Moab, UT and see Arches National Park. Canyonlands too if you have time; Upheaval Crater is pretty sweet if there is a good sunset.

 

[JoeKing]

Hmm Mapquest says it's 2796.25 miles. Realistically speaking how many miles a day can one drive?

I've driven 300 mile stretches before but nothing as far as that.

It's a 98 toyota tacoma btw, probably have to buy some new tires if I make the trek.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
I would expect that to be 5 days at ~8 hours per day. Could be a fun thing to do. I almost had to move from KY to CA next week and I was going to drive it.

see one of the problems is I'm in the Air Force so I've gotta burn some leave for this. Also any travel wizards know the cheapest costs of a flight from MD to CA? Then with the costs of gas I'm trying to see if driving would be better.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
Hmm Mapquest says it's 2796.25 miles. Realistically speaking how many miles a day can one drive?

I've driven 300 mile stretches before but nothing as far as that.

It's a 98 toyota tacoma btw, probably have to buy some new tires if I make the trek.

lmao it's 2800miles not 28000

What ever you will be fine. 98 Tacoma sounds pretty solid. Just do a oil chain like 3/4 of the way.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: JoeKing

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
I would expect that to be 5 days at ~8 hours per day. Could be a fun thing to do. I almost had to move from KY to CA next week and I was going to drive it.

see one of the problems is I'm in the Air Force so I've gotta burn some leave for this. Also any travel wizards know the cheapest costs of a flight from MD to CA? Then with the costs of gas I'm trying to see if driving would be better.

if you dont want to drive it. find a buddy that has nothing better to do and have him drive your car across the country.

If it costs about $1000 to have it shipped, why not pay him like 800 to have him do it.

 

[BoomerD]

Figure about 500-700 miles per day, (10 hrs driving) so you don't wear yourself out. You CAN make more than that, but it takes a toll on you, and you don't enjoy the drive. Heck, take time to see some of the country's wonders along the way...make a few side trips...Not sure where you are starting at, but there are a lot of great things to see along the way. Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc. (yes, the first 2 are way out of the way from any part of Kahleeforneeya)
When I was a kid, (late 50's and early 60's) my folks could make it in 3 days from Mass to Washington state, driving in shifts, 24 hrs/day. EVERYONE hated that, but it can be done...and that was before the interstate system was completed. Lots of crappy 2 lane highways...

 

[Sukhoi]

If you change your oil before you go you'll be fine. Interstate driving is easy on oil.

Out west you could easily cover 600 miles a day. Speed limits out there are almost all 75 mph. If you're taking I-70 you should be fine all the way to Missouri in regards to traffic density. Even past that it isn't bad at all.

In the event you do decide to drive it, PM me. I drove 2600 miles through the 4-corners states in June and I'm also very familiar with Midwest interstates.

 

[The Stigenator]

if the BBC can do it in 32 hrs, you can too.

just to let you know i did madison WI to los angeles, CA in about 3 days.. thats with 8hrs of driving per day.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
If you change your oil before you go you'll be fine. Interstate driving is easy on oil.

Out west you could easily cover 600 miles a day. Speed limits out there are almost all 75 mph. If you're taking I-70 you should be fine all the way to Missouri in regards to traffic density. Even past that it isn't bad at all.

In the event you do decide to drive it, PM me. I drove 2600 miles through the 4-corners states in June and I'm also very familiar with Midwest interstates.

thanks Sukhoi I might just take you up on that offer. I've found some plane tickets for $100 after taxes so I might just do this trip. I've just gotta find out if I can get some leave approved for this.

btw how much did the trip cost you gas and hotel wise?

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
if the BBC can do it in 32 hrs, you can too.

just to let you know i did madison WI to los angeles, CA in about 3 days.. thats with 8hrs of driving per day.

did you sleep in your car or stay in hotels? How much did it cost you in gas and such?

 

[Willoughbyva]

It would be cheaper to get it shipped. My brother had a car shipped from California to Virginia for less than $400.00.

 

[mugs]

If you're going to be by yourself I would NOT drive it. You'd want to kill yourself by the end just from the isolation.

 

[jadinolf]

I have driven from California to Connecticut and back several times. Takes me a few hours over 4 days. Nice experience.